NIG Measures for the Novel Coronavirus Infectious Disease (on April 28th)
The semi-emergency coronavirus spread prevention measures were lifted throughout the country on March 21st, 2022. According to the alert level classification provided by the Subcommittee on Novel Coronavirus Disease Control, Shizuoka Prefecture is currently classified into Level 2 (*Precautions should be strengthened) (Level 4 is the highest level). From now on, it will be aimed at gradually bringing the socio-economic activities back to normal while implementing the infection prevention measures, and this attempt should be based on the situation where the risk of infection is kept low.
Since the sub-lineage BA.2 of the Omicron variant became predominant, we seem to have entered the phase of the seventh wave. The BA.1 and BA.2 sub-lineages have a different nature from that of the Delta variant. Under the circumstances where both sub-lineages keep spreading, it is predicted that the infection will remain for a long time.
Under these circumstances, we reviewed and revised the NIG level of activity restrictions as follows for the purpose of gradually normalizing our educational research activities while continuing infection control measures as before.
(Special Notes)
“NIG Five Basic Prevention Measures” based on the former infection prevention measures
– Being more mindful about wearing a mask
– Ventilation
– Hand sanitizing
– Monitoring health condition
– Eating silently
NIG’s Various Prevention Measures
[1] Work arrangements
The operation is carried out by giving the utmost consideration to the prevention of the spread of infection. Working from home is recommended. Meetings are held both face-to-face and online. Commuters using public transportation should give the utmost consideration to the prevention of the spread of infection by such way of staggering commuting hours.
[2] Education
When conducting face-to-face research guidance, laboratory meetings and lectures, we hold them online, too.
[3] Conference
When having face-to-face meetings, we give the utmost consideration to the prevention of the spread of infection.
[4] Business trip, outside work
When making business trips or engaging in out-of-office work, we take notes of our health condition for the period of three days before and after the business trip / the out-of-office work.
[5] Treatment of visitors
We ask our visitors (excluding brief time visitors such as delivery vendors) to monitor their health conditions using the Health Observation Form for the period of three days before their visit to NIG (and during their visit).
We also ask our visitors for cooperation in following the NIG Five Basic Prevention Measures such as wearing masks and sanitizing hands when entering our facilities.
[Measures for preventing infection]
It has been regarded that the major infection routes of the novel coronavirus are transmission through “contagious infection” and through “droplet infection” (caused by airborne droplets). However, the latest research indicates that the “aerial infection” is another transmission pathway.
This virus is characterized by the following features: infected individuals can spread the virus prior to showing symptoms, and many of the infected people are asymptomatic although contagious. In other words, it takes time before we realize that we are infected with the virus.
The mutants emerging in the society where a large portion of people have received vaccination are vaccine-resistant and cause spreading breakthrough infection. In order to prevent the emergence of such stubborn mutants and to prevent the spread of infection, we should keep the following in mind: “Do not spread the virus to others”, “Try not to be infected with the virus”, and “We may already have been infected with the virus”. It is important to maintain the infection control measures, such as wearing masks, ventilating rooms, and sanitizing hands.
Best regards,
Fumio Hanaoka
Director-General (Head of the Department of Genetics)
National Institute of Genetics
April 28, 2022
Websites for reference
▶︎Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “About Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)”
